Greek authorities estimated that roughly 11,000 people have departed the “Instagram” isle of Santorini since seismic activity mushroomed over the past week or so in a rectangular area of the southern Aegean between the former and the islands of Amorgos, Ios and Anafi. Of the total, some 5,500 flew out of Santorini’s commercial airport.
According to a study released by the University of Athens on Wednesday, more than 6,400 earthquakes have been recorded between Santorini and Amorgos from Jan. 26, 2025 until Feb. 3, 2025. Of the latter, 800 were above the 2.5 on the Richter scale mark.
On the day, the most intense tremor was recorded shortly before 20.00 (18.00 GMT) local time, registering 4.7 on the Richter scale. As with most of the previous seismic activity, this quake was pinpointed in the sea region between Santorini and Amorgos, according to the Geodynamic Institute in Athens. The quake was felt, according to reports, as far away as Athens, on the Greek mainland, and in western Turkey.
In a related development, the digital governance ministry in the country on Wednesday announced that cellphone providers in Greece – Cosmote, Nova and Vodafone – are shipping mobile units and generators to the four islands to ensure that telecommunications are unaffected in case of a power outage. Satellite operator HellasSat will also dispatch a mobile unit to Santorini, which will be based at a military airbase on the island.
Finally, the same ministry on Wednesday announced the operation of a new online platform – mysafetyplan.gov.gr – to offer directions and guidance to the public in case of a natural disaster. The platform is an initiative in cooperation with the National Observatory of Athens.
The platform, among others, will pinpoint secure areas for temporary assembly of residents in all regions of Greece, including on the islands.
